Call it what you will –stools, feces, poop, BM’s and even scatology — this delicate topic of discussion is important. Just knowing what the variations looks and smell like is a great diagnostic tool. Here are some descriptions of what you may see one of these days and what it might mean. Also, see this article for more on this topic.

Bloody-smelling. Some think of it as metallic and everyone think it smells strong and terrible. Once you smell it, you won’t forget it. It may look like pure blood or very dark. It suggests internal bleeding or a severe case of hookworms.

Frequency

Several in an hour, each small, with straining — suggests colitis

Three or four times a day each large — suggests malabsorption or small bowel disorder.

Condition of Dog

Weight loss, malnutrition — suggests small bowel disorder.

Normal appetite, minimal weight loss — suggests large bowel disorder.

Vomiting – small bowel origin, except for colitis.

Excessively hungry and thin — suggests intestinal parasites, especially tapeworms, which are easily seem in the stool. They may even wave at you!